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Ex situ conservation of endangered geophytes of the Hirkan National

Park (Azerbaijan) in the Central Botanical Garden (Azerbaijan)

Rashad Salimov Allahverdioglu

1,2, Ibadli Oruc Velioglu

1

1

Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Plants, Central Botanical Garden of

Azerbaijan, National Academy of Sciences, AZ1073, Badamdar

Highway 40, Baku, Azerbaijan, resad_selimov@yahoo.com 2 Department of Biology, Qafqaz University, Baku-Sumqayit Road 16-km Xirdalan,

Baku AZ0101, Azerbaijan

Keywords: tuber, rhizome, rare species, endemic, Caucasus, Red Book

Abstract

The Hirkan National Park (HNP) which includes the mountainous Talish region is a

unique natural complex. The HNP was established to preserve the nature of this

area, to protect relict and endemic plants of the Tertiary period and characteristic

flora and fauna types, which were not affected by the Pliocene and Pleistocene

glaciations (included in ‘The Red Book of Azerbaijan’) [1] and for monitoring the

environment, public awareness and the creation of favourable conditions for

research, tourism and recreation. The HNP is a forest with a rich floristic

composition, including 150 endemic species out of a total of 435 species of trees and

bushes. In the research area, more than 15 geophyte species are endemic plants of

the Caucasus or Azerbaijan. Some geophyte species are Allium lenkoranicum Miscz.

ex Grossh., A. talyschense Miscz. ex Grossh., Bellevalia fominii Woronow,

Ornithogalum hyrcanum Grossh., Fritillaria grandiflora Grossh., Crocus caspius Fisch.

& C.A. Mey., Iris helena (C. Koch) C. Koch, Himantoglossum formosum (Stev.) C. Koch,

Ophrys oestrifera Bieb. The 92 geophyte species identified and registered in the HNP

belong to 21 families and 46 genera, including 33 rare and endangered species, of

which 11 species are included in ‘The Red Book of Azerbaijan’. The organization of

reserves encounters significant, frequently insuperable difficulties in the present

period. Even working reserves experience extreme influences of natural factors and

anthropogenic impacts. This necessitates the preservation of plants, including

endemic and relict, rare and endangered geophyte species of the Talish region ex

situ in collections. Multilateral research activities frequently demand the presence of

sufficient and easily accessible material that can only be provided with its

preservation in collections. The aims of the Central Botanical Garden of Azerbaijan

are: conservation of rare and endangered species, climate adaptation of plants,

enrichment of plant resources, and selection of plants for use in gardens in Baku city.

Background

The richness of the Talish flora is distinguished not only in Azerbaijan, but also in

botanical and geographical regions of the Caucasus. The Talish region is located in

the extreme south-eastern part of Azerbaijan. In the West, the Talish Mountains are

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bordered by the Republic of Iran, and in the East by the Caspian Sea. The flora of the

region and its genetic resources has incorporated the remnants of the flora of

various geological eras, especially the Tertiary Period and has emerged as a result of

long historical development. The isolation of the geographical position of Talish, with

vegetation differing in a variety of life forms, allows geophytes to be considered as a

group of independent bioecological value. Therefore, this study was carried out to

determine the geophyte flora of the Talish region in Azerbaijan, and to observe the

conditions of the endemic and/or rare geophyte populations.

During the last decade man’s impact on natural ecosystems has increased

significantly and poses a serious threat to the natural equilibrium of ecosystems.

When the habitats of a rare and/or endemic species are damaged and/or

fragmented by mis-management and various other human activities (such as,

intensive urbanization, over exploitation of natural resources, development of

tourism), distribution ranges, population sizes, and genetic variability of the species

will be reduced and its members will become vulnerable to extinction at a faster rate

than others. Due to this, special attention should be given to the investigation of

threatened taxa.

It was necessary to consider the best ways of preserving plant genetic resources in

situ and this led to the organization of the Hirkan natural reserve in Azerbaijan. The

Hirkan National Park was established in 2004 based on the Hirkan State Reserve

which it superseded, with an area of 29,760 hectares (297.6 km2). It was enlarged in

2008 to 42,797 hectares (427.97 km2) (Figure 1). The main purposes for the

establishment of the National Park are: preservation of the nature of this area;

protection of relict and endemic plants of the Tertiary Period and characteristic flora

and fauna types which were not affected by Pliocene and Pleistocene glaciations,

and their inclusion in the Red Book of the Azerbaijan Republic [1]; monitoring of the

environment; public awareness; and also the creation of favourable conditions for

research, tourism and recreation.

The ecosystem of the Hirkan National Park belongs to the Caspian Hyrcanian (Hirkan)

mixed forests ecoregion, an area of lush deciduous broadleaved lowland and

mountain forests (subtropical and temperate rainforests) that completely cover the

Talish Mountains and partially cover the Lenkoran Lowland. One of the main

characteristics of the subtropical forests of the Lenkoran zone (where the Hirkan

National Park is located) are the well-preserved Hirkan type forests and the

abundance of many endemic, rare trees, bushes and herbs [2]. Botanical expeditions

over the last 50 years have given a general description of the region’s vegetation

with numerous herbarium specimens having been collected by world botanists

during the 19-20th century and cited in the literature especially of books such as the

"Flora of Azerbaijan" in 8 volumes [3] and the "Conspectus of Caucasian geophytes"

[4] and other publications [5, 6], (Table 1).

Materials and Methods

Field investigation began in 2004 with reference to research by Haciyev et al. [2] and

Ibadli [7]. The nomenclature of taxa was according to Karyagin [3], Ibadli [4, 7] and

Czerepanov [8]. The identification of specimens was also checked against specimens

in the herbaria of the Botanical Institute of Baku (BAK). Specimens were deposited in

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the Botanical Institute, Herbarium Fund. The list of taxa was arranged according to

"The Flora of Azerbaijan" [3] and Ibadli [4, 7], with the species name, locality,

habitat, properties, and altitude.

On the basis of this information and the corresponding literature [3, 4] and the

results of research, the geophyte plants were grouped on the basis of the type of

underground storage organ: bulb, tuber, root, rhizome and corm. The endemic

species were determined according to Ahundov [9] and Musayev [10]. Each species

was categorized for threat according to IUCN Red List Categories [11].

The following category abbreviations are used in the text: BAK (Herbarium Fund of

the Botanical Institute of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku,

Azerbaijan), IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature – Red List

Categories and Criteria), CR (critically endangered), EN (endangered), VU

(vulnerable), CBG (Central Botanical Garden).

Results and Discussion

Herbarium specimens and also seeds of the geophyte species from different families,

which were identified in the Hirkan National Park were collected basically in the

spring and the autumn during the period of 2004-2007, photographs were taken and

areas of distribution are specified [12, 13].

As a result of the field studies, 92 species of geophytes were identified in the Hirkan

National Park, with representatives of 21 families and 46 genera [13], including 33

rare and endangered species, of which 11 species are listed in the "Red Data Book of

Azerbaijan” (Figures 2, 3) [11]. The distribution of species according to families in the

study area was categorized and listed. The families which include the largest number

of species are as follows: Orchidaceae (26 spp.), Hyacinthaceae (11 spp.), Alliaceae (9

spp.), Iridaceae (8 spp.) and Asparagaceae (5 spp.). Families which possess less than

5 species constitute 64.13% of the floristic fund of the Hirkan National Park [13].

More than 15 geophyte species are endemic plants of the Caucasus or Azerbaijan.

Some of them are: Allium lenkoranicum Miscz. ex Grossh., Allium talyschense Miscz.

ex Grossh., Bellevalia fominii Woronow, Ornithogalum hyrcanum Grossh., Fritillaria

grandiflora Grossh., Crocus caspius Fisch. & C. A. Mey., Iris helena (C. Koch) C. Koch,

Himantoglossum formosum (Stev.) C. Koch, Ophrys oestrifera M. Bieb. among many

others.

Nineteen rare geophyte species in the flora of the Hirkan National Park represents

3.3% of the floristic fund of the named area. The following classification according to

IUCN categories was ascribed [11]:

– Critically endangered (CR): 3 species: Ornithogalum hyrcanum Grossh.,

Fritillaria grandiflora Grossh., Cephalanthera longifolia (L.) Fritsch.

– Endangered (EN): 5 species: Crocus caspius Fisch. & C. A. Mey., Lilium

ledebourii (Baker) Boiss., Cephalanthera rubra (L.) Rich., Himantoglossum

formosum (Stev.) C. Koch, Limodorum abortivum (L.) Sw.

– Vulnerable (VU): 11 species: Bellevalia fominii Woronow, Allium paradoxum

(M. Bieb.) G. Don fil., Galanthus caspius (Rupr.) Grossh., Sternbergia

fischeriana (Herb.) M. Roem., Puschkinia scilloides Adams, Scilla caucasica

B

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Miscz., Iris helena (C. Koch) C. Koch, I. pseudacorus L., Crocus speciosus M.

Bieb., Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) Rich., Cyclamen elegans Boiss. & Bushe.

In situ conservation refers to the conservation of biodiversity in populations growing

in their place of origin. However, the organization of reserves is connected with

significant, frequently insuperable difficulties in the present period. Even operating

reserves are subject to the extreme influences of natural factors and anthropogenic

impacts. As a result of this there is a necessity for the preservation of plants,

including endemic and relict, rare and endangered geophyte species of the Talish

region in ex situ collections. In addition, multilateral research activities frequently

demand easily accessible plant material and in sufficient quantities that can only be

provided by preservation in living collections. Ex situ conservation is the method

predominately used in agriculture. Arboreta and botanical gardens are also ex situ

collections, but generally have too few individuals to be useful for conserving rare

and/or endemic plants.

The selection of prospective species of plants, their introduction and study, for use

as garden plants in Baku city is one of the main objectives of the Central Botanical

Garden of Azerbaijan. This is also a way of conserving rare and endangered species,

studying the introduction and climate adaptation of ornamental, medicinal, aromatic

and other plants, in order to enrich the raw-material bases of plant resources.

Among these groups geophytes play an important role [14, 15]. Research data shows

that geophytes represent 4.25% of the flora of Azerbaijan. So, Talish floristic

exposition is of great importance in CBG [12] and about 30 endemic and relict plants,

especially trees, bushes and geophytes species have been planted there.

The development of methods and techniques of reproduction of protected

geophytes in culture, a comprehensive study of morphological, ecological and

biological characteristics, will help address the issue of the rational use and

conservation of rare and endangered species as in situ and ex situ collections.

Conclusions

For the first time, 92 geophyte species were identified and registered in the

Hirkan National Park with representatives from 21 families and 46 genera.

Thirty-three (33) of the geophyte species are rare and endangered species, eleven

(11) of which are listed in the "Red Data Book of Azerbaijan”.

In the surveyed area, the Hirkan National Park, more than 15 geophyte species

are endemic to the Caucasus or Azerbaijan floras.

Based on our research, actions for protection and restoration were determined,

and practical recommendations are offered.

References

1. Red Data Book of Azerbaijan: SSR. Elm Press Baku; 1989, pp. 255-543.

2. Haciyev V, Guliyeva KH, Vahabov Z: Flora and Vegetation of Talish Uplands.

Baku: Science Press Baku, 1979.

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3. Karyagin I: Flora of Azerbaijan. Volume I-VIII. Baku: Academy of Sciences

ASSR Press, 1950-1961.

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Baku, 2005.

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Table 1. The plant composition of Hirkan National Park (Azerbaijan)

Plant groups Family Genus Species

Bryophyta and Pteridophyta 15 19 25

Pinophyta (Gymnospermae) 4 8 10

Magnoliphyta (Angiospermae) 113 536 1169

including Magnoliatae (dicots) 89 429 951

Liliatae (monocots) 24 107 218

Geophytes 21 46 92

Figure 1. Map of the Talish region (Azerbaijan). The Hirkan National Park borders

are indicated by the red line.

Figure 2. Exposition of Galanthus caspius (Rupr.) Grossh. in situ (A) and the CBG (B)

BA

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Figure 4. Exposition of tulips in the CBG.

Figure 3. Exposition of Limodorum abortivum (L.) Sw. in situ (A) and the CBG (B)

A B